The United States Cattlemen"s Association (USCA) issues the following statement regarding the published ruling of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) regarding the classification of red and processed meats as a carcinogen. The statement may be attributed to USCA Dietary and Nutrition Committee Chair Linda Chezem:

"The IARC, an agency of the World Health Organization, is charged with promoting international collaboration in cancer research. However, the report issued differs greatly from current research on the nutritional benefits of red meat in a healthy diet. The IARC report discounts the integral role red meat plays in any healthy diet. The proposed 2015 Dietary Guidelines for the United States continue to support the inclusion of red meat in a comprehensive diet and recognize the nutritional qualities provided by beef."

"One item remains clear and accepted across the scientific and medical communities: cancer is a complex disease and no one single food-item has been proven to cause any type of cancer. The IARC "report" is unrealistic in isolating a single food item as a cause of cancer. USCA is confident that consumers will continue to realize the proven nutritional benefits of red meat. Scientific research continues to maintain that a healthy lifestyle is achieved through moderation in one"s diet, which includes beef, and an active lifestyle."

"It should also be noted that the IARC has completed reviews of 984 other substances over the past 50 years to determine the risk posed to cancer; of those evaluated, approximately 48% were stated as having a potential cancer risk. The items receiving the highest risk classification included sunlight, air, hair coloring, and alcohol amongst others. USCA remains committed to promoting the nutritional benefits of red meat and its important role in a healthy, well-balanced diet."